The counting system between 1 & 10 is the same for all three southern Wakashan languages, with one exception. This system calculates the numbers between 6 & 10 by calculating from the units for 5 & 10. The meaning of the term for "eight" is literally 'two lacking'. It is argued that the vocabularies for these numerals in Makah & Nitinaht evolved together, separate from Nootka. In the next decade, however, Makah count by adding to 10, whereas Nitinaht has a "teen" suffix. It is suggested that several counting systems may have coexisted at some time in the past. 5 References. B. Annesser Murray